I knew what kind of day it was going to be when I put tea in the coffee pot instead of coffee this morning.

My son took one gulp and said “This isn’t coffee.”

Oops!

So as I made another pot from the correct jar this time I realised that I hadn’t posted on GSTC for a while – but was shocked to reaise it’s almost a month ago! Where on Earth have I been? I wish I knew myself! Pretty soon everyone will be searching for me in my stripey jersey and toque amongst the day to day confusion of some medieval castle or something.

Anyway I am back now to try and help keep Clinically Clueless company – what a stalwart – and what terrific posts she has been writing – I have some catching up to do. Sorry ’bout that cc.

Weather update: Still lots of snowhere in Manitoba – let me know if anyone one wants some – wish I could say it’s going fast!

And yesterday on the news I saw people basking in t-shirts and shorts in the balmy spring weather further east of us and had to ask if they really do live in the same country as we do or is it just a conspiracy to keep us hopeful that the end to winter will one day come?

Have to dash – wanted everyone to know I am still alive and kicking – and in the words of the inimitable Arnie “I’ll be back!”

Here’s a song for ya – wish I looked like this!

Picture from: http://media.photobucket.com/

 ”The Saga Begins”

(Weird Al Yankovic)

A long, long time ago
In a galaxy far away
Naboo was under an attack
And I thought me and Qui-Gon Jinn
Could talk the federation into
Maybe cutting them a little slack
But their response, it didn’t thrill us
They locked the doors and tried to kill us
We escaped from that gas
Then met Jar Jar and Boss Nass
We took a bongo from the scene
And we went to Theed to see the Queen
We all wound up on Tatooine
That’s where we found this boy…

Oh my my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”
“Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

Did you know this junkyard slave
Isn’t even old enough to shave
But he can use the Force, they say
Ah, do you see him hitting on the queen
Though he’s just nine and she’s fourteen
Yeah, he’s probably gonna marry her someday
Well, I know he built C-3PO
And I’ve heard how fast his pod can go
And we were broke, it’s true
So we made a wager or two
He was a prepubescent flyin’ ace
And the minute Jabba started off that race
Well, I knew who would win first place
Oh yes, it was our boy

We started singin’ …
My my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”
“Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

Now we finally got to Coruscant
The Jedi Council we knew would want
To see how good the boy could be
So we took him there and we told the tale
How his midi-chlorians were off the scale
And he might fulfill that prophecy
Oh, the Council was impressed, of course
Could he bring balance to the Force?
They interviewed the kid
Oh, training they forbid
Because Yoda sensed in him much fear
And Qui-Gon said “Now listen here”
“Just stick it in your pointy ear”
“I still will teach this boy”

He was singin’ …
My my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”
“Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

We caught a ride back to Naboo
‘Cause Queen Amidala wanted to
I frankly would’ve liked to stay
We all fought in that epic war
And it wasn’t long at all before
Little Hotshot flew his plane and saved the day
And in the end some Gunguns died
Some ships blew up and some pilots fried
A lot of folks were croakin’
The battle droids were broken
And the Jedi I admire most
Met up with Darth Maul and now he’s toast
Well, I’m still here and he’s a ghost
I guess I’ll train this boy

And I was singin’ …
My my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”
“Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

We were singin’ …
My my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

What an appropriate month for GO! Smell the Coffee!!  Today is officially National Caffeine Awareness Month…or should I say anti-caffeine awareness month.  All of the articles that I’ve read seem to explain the reasons why you should quit…it is an addiction.  I call it one of world’s most socially acceptable drug.  Please keep in mind that I love coffee and am an avid coffee fan…or is it addict.  I can stop anytime…really. 

Most of the information links back to the Caffeine Awareness Association. 

 The following is their description from their site:

What is the Caffeine Awareness Association?

The Caffeine Awareness Association, a non-profit organization, is committed to the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of the public whose lives have been affected by their misuse of, or dependency on caffeine. Our mission is to provide objective, evidence-based information and advice to help reduce the health, social, and economic harm associated with caffeine abuse and addiction.

Did you know that an average size espresso drink has less caffeine than the average brewed coffee?  Or that coffee comes second only to petroleum as the world’s most widely traded commodity?  Caffeine can be found in coffee, decaf coffee, tea, decaf tea, medications, chocolate, sodas, and many other sources. For a child three caffeinated sodas is equivalent to an adult drinking three cups of coffee.  It takes about six hours to exit your system. 

There are many risks that have been found from intaking caffeine. Some are still in testing phases.  It affects the brain in similar ways of cocaine, heroine, methamphetamines as they all produce dopamine which stimulates the please area of the brain and increases adrenaline. 

Caffeine increased cholesterol, is artery clogging, highly addictive, promotes heart disease, pancreas and bladder cancers, disturbs our central nervous system, increases risk for hypoglycemia, , increases risk for gallstones.  It affects the brains ability to take adenosine which causes sleepiness. It also creates headaches, dehydration, impairs absorption of iron and calcium, causes headaches, and impairs the body’s ability to absorb iron and calcium. Doctors recommend that pregnant women, heart disease patients and those at risk for osteoporosis should not drink coffee.

So, are decaffeinated items better?  Even decaffeinated items contain some caffeine. For coffee, some of the processes used to “decaffeinate” produce dangerous carcinogens.  However, those that use “naturally decaffeinated” or “swiss water processed” are safe.

 The UP side of caffeine research is showing that it does help prevent heart disease and asthma. It also increases the body to produce antioxidants. It increases memory, mixed with carbohydrates replenishes the body faster, decreases risks for colon cancer and cirrhosis of the liver, can stimulate hair growth in those that are balding, decreases post work out pain by 48%, wards off Alzheimer’s disease, eases depression, increases stamina, decreased risk for diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and risk of cavities.

Research at times seems contradictory and are in the beginning stages, but there are some things that are consistent regarding the addictive effect.  So, it is up to you.

If you decide to stop drinking coffee or other caffeinated items be prepared as it is a drug with withdrawl side effects.  When caffeine intake is reduced, the body then becomes oversensitive to a chemical in the brain (adenosine) relevant to the sleep process, causing blood pressure to drop dramatically, producing an excess of blood in the head area (not necessarily on the brain), and leading to a headache often lasting several days. Other withdrawal symptoms reported are fatigue and muscle pain, irritability, inability to work, nervousness, restlessness, and feeling sleepy, and in extreme cases, nausea and vomiting. Gradual reduction of caffeine intake abates these symptoms.

By the way, I am enjoying my caffeinated coffee here in Southern California and you can’t take it away…it is mine…all mine!!!

 So, will you stop drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages?  All comments and questions welcomed.

FUN TIME!!!

To find out how many cup of numerous choices of caffeine that it would take to kill yourself go to this link:  http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine.

Time for some motivation:

Enjoy and comments welcome…..

So how would you shorten a song or what song would you want Tim Hawkins to shorten?

Most countries have Eating Disorders Week within the month of February.  The U.S. National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is from February 21st to February 26th.

Myths & Realities From Mirror-Mirror:

Only teenage girls suffer from eating disorders. Many eating disorders do begin in the teenage years, but children, men, older women and just about anyone can fall victim to this terrible disorder.

You can never fully recover from an eating disorder. Recovery takes a long time, but with hard work and the proper treatment, you can fully recover from your eating disorder.

Men with eating disorders are always gay. Someone’s sexual preference has nothing to do with them developing an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are solely a problem with food. With all eating disorders, weight is the focus of life. By focusing on food, weight and calories, a person is able to block out or numb painful feelings and emotions. Some use food as a way to comfort themselves. Eating disorders are NOT a problem with food. They are in fact only a symptom of underlying problems.

Bulimics always purge by vomiting. Not all bulimics try to rid themselves of the calories they have consumed by vomiting. Purging can take the form of laxatives, diuretics, exercising, or fasting.

You can always tell someone is anorexic by their appearance. Not all anorexics look like the extreme cases shown on talk shows, etc. Some anorexics may be anywhere from 5 to 15 lbs. underweight. They look thin, but they do not have what society considers to be the “anorexic” look. Just because someone does not look emaciated, does not mean they are not  anorexic or that their health is not in danger.

Anorexics do not eat candy, chocolate, etc. Many anorexics do avoid such foods, but some do eat them on a regular basis. If an anorexic decides to only allow him/herself 300 calories a day, they may very well choose to eat a chocolate bar, candy, etc.

Anorexics do not binge or purge. Many anorexics will go on occasional binges and purge. Some anorexics can become so fearful of any food or drink that they will purge whatever they put into their system, including water.

You cannot die from bulimia. Bulimics are at a high risk for dying, especially if they are purging, using laxatives and doing excessive exercise. Many bulimics have died from cardiac arrest which is usually caused by low potassium or an electrolyte imbalance. Others have died from a ruptured esophagus.

People with eating disorders do this to hurt their family and friends. People with eating disorders are doing this to themselves. They are usually very upset when they know the people around them are worried or hurt by their eating disorder.

Compulsive eating is not an eating disorder. It is very much an eating disorder and is just as serious as anorexia and bulimia. 

Compulsive eaters are just lazy people. Compulsive eating is a way to cope just like anorexia and bulimia are. A person uses food as a way to comfort or numb themselves, block out feelings and emotions, etc. They are not lazy! They are people in emotional pain trying to cope using the only way they know how. Like anorexia and bulimia, they need proper treatment to overcome it. They do not need to be sent to health spas and diet clinics.

People cannot have more than one eating disorder. Many people have more than one eating disorder. It is very common for someone to suffer with more than one eating disorder. That just proves that the eating behaviors are only the symptoms, not the problem. 

Some risk factors include:

My secret is that I am anorexic, but I have not been “really” discussing it with my therapist as I don’t want to stop. (He does know that I have an eating disorder).  I weigh myself everyday, skip meals or throw them away, I’m preoccupied with my body, count calories, have good and bad food and the list goes on.  It is an addiction and requires help if you are willing.  Right now, I am overweight due to health issues and don’t know other ways of getting the weight off quickly. (No advice please…often those with eating disorders know more about food than professionals.  It is an obsession and addiction.  I feel good when I lose weight or am able to go without eating.  If is a form of self-hatred and control of emotions.

What have you learned?  Or, share a personal experience (family, friend, self).  All comments and questions welcomed.

Today, is the Olympics ladies long program which gives me a heartache as I am a huge Michelle Kwan fan.  When she earned the bronze medal in 2002, I felt so much disappointment as did much of the world. 

I write from Southern California and she is a local girl.  A friend of mine ate her family’s restaurant and reported it is American styled Chinese food.  Additionally, her training rink is about ten minutes from my home.   There  are huge pictures of her on the outside electronic billboard and many, many pictures and memorbilla inside the rink.  It is a great addition to the area as there are no close by ice skating rinks.  She also mentors young skaters here.

There are many skating routines that I like, but Fields of Gold is one of my favorites as Michelle skated the exhibition performance beautifully after winning the bronze medal where she was the favorite to win the 2002 Olympic gold.  Although she earned at bronze and silver Olympic medals, the Gold was elusive.  However, during this performance, she carried on with grace, dignity, emotion and a good example of being a “good sport.”  The following is her Olympic Fields of Gold exhibition performance:

Michelle is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, Michelle Kwan has won an unprecedented 42 championships, including five World Championships (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003), eight consecutive and eight overall U.S. Championship titles, (1996, 1998-2005) and two Olympic medals (silver-1998, bronze-2002) .

In the nearly 100-year history of ladies figure skating, Michelle’s five World titles and nine overall world medals (five gold, three silver, 1 bronze) in nine consecutive years (1996-2004) are all marks that have been bettered only by the immortal Sonja Henie of Norway (10 titles/11 medals/11 consecutive years) … She is the only woman in figure skating history to reclaim the World title three times (1998, 2000, 2003) … Kwan’s eight consecutive U.S. Championship titles (1998-2005) and 12 consecutive U.S. Championship medals (1994-2005) are both U.S. records .

Her nine career U.S. titles tie the legendary Maribel Vinson, who won nine titles in the 1920s-30s; and her mark of 12 U.S. medals (9 gold, 3 silver) are the most in U.S. skating history … In her career she has received 57 perfect 6.0 marks in major competitions, the most of any U.S. skater in history, and any singles skater ever … She has been awarded at least one 6.0 in each of her last five U.S. Championships, a U.S. record … Her winning long and short performances at the 1998 U.S. Championships, where she received 15 perfect 6.0 marks (out of a possible 18) for artistry over the course of the event, is the most by any skater in the history of U.S. Figure Skating.

In June 2009, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a minor in political science.  She then chose to pursue a graduate degree in international relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University

On November 9, 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named Michelle Kwan as a public diplomacy ambassador. In this non-salaried position, Kwan will represent American values especially to young people and sports enthusiasts and is expected to travel widely. Kwan made her first overseas trip in the capacity of public diplomacy ambassador with a visit to China from January 17–January 25, 2007.

Michelle’s  diplomatic position as an Envoy has continued in the Barack Obama administration where she has worked with vice-president Joe Biden and Secretary-of-State Hillary Clinton.

What do you do when you are deeply disappointed? Or, share a time when you were deeply disappointed.

Clinically Clueless in Southern California pondering my name. Another silly day is here today.   It is “National Get A Different Name Day.”  The day is for those of us who want to change your name for a day. 

It did get me thinking about my name and what I would like to change.  Because I didn’t have a father in my life, but had his last name, I always wanted to change it to my grandparents name.  Then, I got used to it and started working and signing way too many documents and I liked signing it. 

Then, I married and have my husband’s last name which is a pain to pronounce and write.  It is only curves…boring!!!  However, my husband is worth it.  My grandpa used to tease my by telling me, “say your last name!!”  He knew I couldn’t pronounce it properly.  LOL

What are some of 2009’s popular names in the U.S.?

Male Female
1 AIDAN/AIDEN/ADEN  &  AMELIA/EMILIA
2 NOAH & ISABELLA/IZABELLA
3 LIAM & AVA
4 CAYDEN/CADEN/KAYDEN/KADEN  & SOPHIA/SOFIA
5 ETHAN & OLIVIA
6 JACKSON & MADELINE/MADELYN/MADELYNN
7 LANDON & LILY/LILLY
8 JACOB/JAKOB & ABIGAIL
9 CALEB/KALEB &  CHLOE/KHLOE
10 LUCAS/LUKAS & EMMA 

What Would You Change About YOUR Name and Why?